UPDATE: Winter Weather Warning in Effect; Up to 8 Inches of Snow Expected

UPDATE, Jan. 20, 7:48 a.m. 

The National Weather Service has upgraded the winter weather advisory to a winter storm warning. The snow is expected to arrive mid-to late morning with total accumulations of 5 to 8 inches expected. 

A watch is upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning when 4 or more inches of snow or sleet is expected in the next 12 hours, or 6 or more inches in 24 hours, or 1/4 inch or more of ice accretion is expected, according to the NWS.

The National Weather Service in Chicago has a live doppler radar on its site to help you track the storm's progress. 

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UPDATE: 3:41 P.M. on Thursday, Jan. 19

The National Weather Service has now issued awinter weather advisory for Friday. The winter storm watch is no longer in effect.

The advisory will be in effect from 9 a.m. Friday until midnight. According to the National Weather Service, the snow is expected to start falling during the mid- to late-morning hours, with the heaviest snow forecast to fall in the afternoon. About 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected, with locally higher amounts possible.

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UPDATE: 9 A.M. on Thursday, Jan. 19

If it hasn't felt like winter in recent weeks, it should over the next couple days. 

With frigid temperatures today and over six inches of snow predicted for some on Friday, much of the area will be forced to deal with the winter weather, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago. 

Temperatures are expected to reach a high of nine degrees in Lake in the Hills today and then fall to around five degrees for the rest of the day.

Wind chill values could make it feel like -10 degrees at times. Wind gusts could reach as high as 25 mph. 

Snow Is On Its Way ... 

A winter storm watch is in effect for Friday morning through Friday evening for McHenry County as well as much of the area.

The snow is expected to start in the morning. The heaviest snow is expected to begin in the afternoon and continue into early Friday evening with snowfall rates of up to one inch per hour, according to the NWS. 

"The heaviest snow is expected to be falling during the Friday afternoon and Friday evening rush hour commute," according to the NWS. "Delays at Chicago area airports are also possible." 

For tips on staying safe during a winter storm and extreme, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website.